The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-04-14
Southwest Virginia.


When a condition of unusual industrial
activity exists, or is expected, the first in
quiry from thoughtful persons ls-upon
what is it based? If The causes which
lead to it are tangible. substantial and en-
during, it is rational to look for u contin-
uance so long as the demand and supply
are in equal or nearly equal proportions
In referring again to Southwest Virginia
and the remarkable zeal and energy which
are moving the business undertakings in
that section, it is well enough to point out
distinctly upon what the calculations are
predicated for the future growth in wealth
and population of that section. 1t is not
alone to the rich and verdant pasture dis
tricts; the prolific soil the vast areas of'
timber, or the cattle upon thousand hills.
These contribute to the aggregate OF at
fractions, but they have been the source
of profit for so long time and running
through SO many generations, that they
are considered merely normal conditions
and not such as would justify an extraor-
binary boom OF invite and entice millions
of dollars out of the channels of business
in the great centres of trade in the East,
and the active avenues Of commercial pur-
suits. These sources of traffic and enter
prise are suited to the training OF rural
population, educated to their use and
management, but there is not enough in
them to draw men and money from the
busy and exciting marts Of barter and the
stirring scenes of the stock boards to sur
| round themselves with the uneyentful
| monotony of rural life. There must
be and Is something else. and that is
found in the immense mineral deposits
which everywhere abound in the counties
of the Southwest. The quantity is there
in inexhaustible abundance, and the quail
ity is demonstrated eyond question, IN
the following comparison instituted by
Prof. McCfeath. between the several noted
districts of the South, both as to iron and
coke, the two important factors now
working out the regeneration OF the South
ern States
IRON OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES DISTRICT.
Metallic iron. .................... 460sl
phasphorus $50
CHATTANOOGA DISTRICT.
Metallic iron. .... 1885,
Phosnhorus 1886
CRIPPLE CREEK DISTRICT.
Metallic iron. $685.
Phosphorus II.
COKES.
Birmingham, fixed carbon. 49,. 81. 29s
Chattanooga, fixed carbon. Se.5ls
Cripple Creek, fixed earhon...,. " 55l
Connellsville, Pa. fixed carbon. 81. 96s
What is here designated as the Grip
pie Creek coke, is that made at the
Flat Top Coal fields. In Tazewel
county, easily reached oy rail from tht
points where furnaces are being con
structed and in contemplation to convert
the Cripple Greek ores. sin the purit,
and EXCELLENCE of its coke' continues Prof
McCreath, land the cheapness with which
the raw material is mined, Virginia il
well in advance of either A labama o.
Tennessee.
The Cripple Greek ore supply, says TIL
same distinguished authority consists Ell
tirely of brown hematites or limonite
from two grand geological horizons. Th'
firsS is locally known as mountain ores
and the second called limestone ores.
Almost the entire ore supply of the char
coal furnaces of this valley has come from
the second variety of ore, and the produc
has maintained for years superior repu
tation. The accessibility of the limonit
ores of the Cripple Creek Valley of Viz
gina, the uniformity in character ant
quality of the limestone ores, their higt
grade and freedom from phosphorus ant
slicous matter, give them value full
equal to any known deposits of the sam
class of ores. The following analyses shoN
the character of the s'mountain ores ::
t Five samples give an average of 49.4i pc
cent. of metallic iron. .428 of phosphorus
J and 1923 of silieious matter. Phosphe
r rus in1OO partA of iron, 1899. Two othe
q samples show 45.D per cent of metalli
: iron, .974 of phosphorus, and Is per cent
j. of silicious matter. Phosphorus in lG
{ parts, 2.158.
4 We next find thirty-four analyses O
q what are called Limestone Ores" fror
+ various properties. We cannot give til
i whole list. but select a few of the aver
h age: